Liquid treating and bottling apparatus



Oct. 16, 1934. A. H. BOILEAU ET AL 1,976,768

LIQUID TREATING AND BOTTLING APPARATUS Filed April 16. 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet l A. H. BO ILEAU ET AL LIQUID TREATING AND BOTTLING APPARATUS Filed April 16. 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 16, 1934.

A. H. BOILEAU El AL LIQUID TREATING AND BOTTLING APPARATUS Filed April 16, 1932 3 Sheets- Sheet s Af/WXZZJ Patented (jot. 16, 1934 UNITE iiia'zts PATEN cries LIQUID TREATING AND BOTTLING APBAitATUS Application April 16, 1932, Serial No. 605,666

9 Claims.

This invention relates to liquid bottling apparatus and particularly to a combined pasteurizer and bottle filler for liquids such as milk.

At the present time, the ordinary small or farm dairy is equipped with a small milk cooler, usually a surface cooler, by which themilk is cooled before it is run into the pasteurizer, which is a machine separate from the cooler. The coolers are commonly provided with covers which have to be taken down and which, as well as the other parts of the coolers, have to be cleansed. After heating and holding the milk in the pasteurizer for the period of time necessary for pasteurization, the milk is discharged or delivered to the cooler, and this generally involves a pump and suitable sanitary pipes and fittings for pumping the milk to the top of the cooler. Then from the bottom trough or discharge of the cooler the milk fiows or is delivered through so other pipes or connections to the tank or reservoir of the bottle filler from which is it bottled.

Such apparatus thus includes a number of separate machines and operations. Space is required for these machines and labor isinvo-lved in tak- 5 ing apart, cleaning, sterilizing and reassembling the mach nes and milk connections, which must be done after each run of the milk in order to keep the apparatus in the proper sanitary condition.

One object of this invention is to produce an efficient combined pasteurizer and bottle filler of novel and practical construction by means of which the small dairyman is provided with a complete milk plant in one machine, in the use of which he can pour the milk into the vat of the pasteurizer directly from the milk pails and cool it and keep it cool until the next milking or until he is ready to pasteurize the milk, when he can heat the milk to and hold it for the required time 4:; at the pasteurizing temperature in the same vat, then cool it again to proper bottling'temperature and then bottle the milk directly from this same vat by means of a bottle filling device with which the pasteurizer' is equipped. i i

Otherobjects of the invention are'to provide a pasteurizer equipped with a bottle filler located exteriorly of the pasteurizer vat and connected to the milk outlet of the vat in such a manner that the bottlefiller can be readily taken apart, 5o cleansed, and reassembled, or can be readily removed fromthe pasteurizer in case it is desired to use the pasteurizer without the'bottle filler; also to provide the apparatus with bottle filling mechanism adapted for. filling the bottles two at a time, but which can be readily'arranged, if

desired, to fill the bottles one at a time, or to permit the milk to be delivered from the pasteurizer to a cooler, can filler, or other apparatus when the milk is not to be bottled; also to pro-. vide the bottle filling mechanism with bottle holding and lifting means which can be readily adjusted to suit different sized bottles either of standard or non-standard sizes; also to provide bottling apparatus in which the bottle filling devices are arranged in a readily accessible novel manner exteriorly of the liquid holding vat; also to mount the bottle holding and'lifting mechanism so that it can be readily removed from the apparatus when not in use; and also to improve apparatus of the character mentioned in the other respects hereinafter described and set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary, side elevation of a combined pasteurizer and bottle filling apparatus embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation, partly in section, thereof.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation of the apparatus on a larger scale, showing the bottle filling mechan sm in section on line 3 3, Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary elevation of the filling devices partly in section on line 4-4, Fig. 3.

, Fig, 5 is a sectional elevation on an enlarged scale on line 5-5, Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a rear elevation of the adjustable supporting frame for the bottle lifting mechanism.

Fig. 7 is a sectional plan view on line 77, Fig. 4, showing the vent tube of one of the filling devices and its supporting disk.

Figs. 8 and 9 are respectively side and end elevations showing a slightly modified arrangemen of the filling devices.

First referring to the construction shown in Figs 1-7, 10 represents a vat or tank adapted to hold a body of liquid, which Will be hereinafter referred to as milk, since the apparatus is p 71- marily designed for pasteurizing' and bottling milk, but it is not thereby intended to restrict the invention to such use. The vat is preferably equipped with means for heating the milk to and holding it at the pasteurizing temperature, and also with cooling means adapted to be used either for cooling the milk before pasteurizing it or for cooling the pasteurized milk down to the neces sary temperature for bottling or other purposes. The yet is may be, as shown in the drawings, a combined coil and spray vat pasteurizer of the construction fully disclosed in application for U. S. Patent, Serial No. 569,896, filed Oct. 20; 1931,

the lining 11 and jacket 12 so that the water dis-:

charged from the pipes flows down over thequter surfaces .of the lining 11 into thebottoni ofi'the".

jacket, from which it is discharged or recirculated by means not shown. Twospraypipes l3- for this purpose are shown located thespac of the lining and the jacket. In the ordinary operation of the apparatus, the; spray water frornz these pipes 13 is used for heating the milk to the pasteurizing temperature, and the milkishel'd at this temperature in the vat for the length of time necessary for pasteurization. The vat. is equipped with a coil 14, arrangedso 'ast'o' bets 6- mer'g'ed'in the milk in' thev'at, and so'that' water,

.- brine, or other suitable cooling'mediiiiri'is adapted to be circulated through it for cooling thefmilkl This cooling coil may be removablysupported in the vat and corh'posed of horizontal pipes 15 con-' nected' at their ends to headers 16 adapted for connection to suitable supply and discharge pipes (one ofwhich is shown at 1'7, Fig. 1) and constructed'so that the cooling medium delivered to one ofthe headers will circulate through the severalhorizontal' pipes of the coil and discharge from the coil throughthe other header.

While a vat of the described construction is des'irable, the vat could be of other construction adapted for heating or cooling the milk.

The vat is provided witha' suitable outlet or connection 20 through which the milk is dis,- charged'from the lining or receptacle 11 and this outlet is furnished with a suitable valve for controlling the discharge of the milk. As shown,"this outletcomprises a three wayturn-plug valve 21 of ordinary form connected by a pod or fitting to the vat lining, 11, the casing of this valve 21 being providedwith threev discharge branches or ends, twoof which, 22 and 23, extend. from opposite sides of the casing and the third 24 projects forwardly from the casing. The passages of these three discharge ends'lead from the plug, chamber or seat of the valve so that by turning the plug 25 to appropriate positions. the milk can be discharged from the vat, either through the sideor front outlets of the valve.

As disclosed in Figs. 1-7 of. the drawings, two bottle filling heads or devices and'Sl are provided; each connected with one of the sideends' 22, 2 3 of the outlet valve 21. Each of these bottle fillin'g devices, which are alike, comprises an upright tube or stand-pipe, which communicates with one side branch of the outlet valve 21, an upright vent tube arranged within the stand pipe and a discharge valve at the lower end of the dey vice. The standpipe', as shown, is built up of a T-fitting 32, a section of pipe 33whichis secured to and ektends downwardly from the lower; end of the T, and an upper pipe section 34, which-is removably secured to the upper end of the T 32 by a screw coupling or union 35 wherebythe upper pipesection 34; can be detached from the T. Thelateral end of thepT isdetachably secured by a suitable union 36 to the side branch of 'the'out-. let valve 21'. The vent tube 3'7;isremovably secured centrally within the stand pipe, preferably f e opposite sides of the vat betweenthe si'dewalls by means of a circular disk 38, which is clamped between the upper pipe section 34 and the upper end of the T 32. This disk has a slot 39 through which the vent tube passes, this slot, see Fig. '7, being of key hole form having a narrow portion adapted to embrace the vent tube between collars 40 thereon; The other portion of the slot is wide enough to pass over the collars so that when the upper pipe section 34 is detached at the union 35 and the disk 38 thus released, the vent tube can be shifted relatively in the slot 39 until the co1- lars won the tube register with the wide portions of the slot 39 which permits the vent tube to be disengaged from the disk and pulled downwardly out of the stand pipe. Slidably mounted on the lower pipe section 33 is the usual spring pressed valve'sleeve 41 provided with a rubber or other suitable valve 42 adapted to yieldingly engage and close the mouth of a milk bottle. The lower end of this valve sleeve is normally held by its spring l3 against theusual conical head 44 at the lower end of the vent tube for preventing the discharge of milk from the stand pipe except when the valve sleeve is lifted by the upward pressure'ofa bottle thereon to permit the milk to enter the bottle.

The upper portion of the stand pipe is prefer: ablyreleasably held securely in a suitable screw clamp or securing device 45 which is attached to the vat and aids in rigidly but releasably holding the filling device in place and relieving the outlet valve or connection 20 from undue strain in the bottle filling operation.

By reason of the described construction of the filling device, it can be built up of standard sanitary pipe sections and fittings, thus making the device of economical construction, and it is located exteriorly of the vat so that it is accessible and can be readily detached from the discharge valve of the vat and the parts of the device disconnected for ready and thorough cleaning.

In filling the bottles, they are supported and moved into and out of receiving relation with the filling devicesby mechanism, which may be similar in construction and operation to the bottle supporting and lifting mechanism commonly employed in milk bottle filling machines. meohanism,however, is detachably and adjustably mounted as will be now described. It comprises a table 50, which is stationarily supported beneath thefilling devices, and a vertically movthe plunger stems extend; Springs 60 surround the plunger stems between the cross bar 58 and collarsor abutments- 61 on the plunger stems. By swinging the lever-:54'downwardly, the cross bar 58 is raised and, through the medium of the springs 60, lifts the plungers 51' was tolift and yieldingly press the bottles supported on the plungersagainst and open the valve 42' of the v filling devices. The plungersare so'rnounted' on the. table' thatwhen in their normal. lowered position, the top faces ofthe plung'ei's on which the bottles rest; are depressed slightly below the top face of the table 50 within circular openings scribed pasteurizing temperature.

GZ'therein, through which the plungers move. The depressions, thus formed by the openings 62 and the tops of the plungers, provide shallow circular seats in which the bottles can be quickly and easily placed centrally on the plungers and in axial alignment with the filling devices so that when the bottles are raised, their mouths will be concentric with and properly engage the mouth closing valves 42 of the filling devices.

The table 50, with the bottle lifting mechanism carried thereby, as described, is removablyand adjustably mounted in connection with the pasteurizing vat so that the table and bottle lifting mechanism, as a unit, can be mounted on, and removed from, the pasteurizer. Preferably for this purposea table supporting grid or frame, comprising three spaced horizontal cross rods 71 rigidly attached to vertical end bars 72, is adjustably secured to a stationary part of the pasteurizer as, for instance, by means of screws '73 passing through vertically elongated slots 74 in the end bars and screwed into threaded holes in two of the supporting legs 75 of the pasteurizing vat. The table 50 is provided at its rear end with a down-turned flange or portion '76 adapted to be hooked over one or another of the rods 71 and the table also has depending rigid brackets 7'7 adapted to bear against the front sides of the legs '75 whereby the table is removably held in connection with the legs. The table may be thus secured at the different elevations suitable for filling standard quart, pint, or half-pint bottles by engaging its flange 76 with one or another of the cross rods whereas the adjustment of the supi porting frame 71 on the legs aiforded by the screws 73 and slots enables additional vertical adjustment of the table appropriate for locating it at proper elevations for filling bottles, which are not of standard size.

In the operation of the described apparatus forpasteurizing and bottling milk, the pasteurizer vat is filled with milk to the desired level and the milk is heated by water discharged from the spray pipes 13 until the milk reaches the pre- The milk is held in the vat at this temperature for the period of time necessary to effect properv pasteurization. It is then cooled while still remaining in the vat, preferably by circulating a suitable cooling medium through the cooling coil 14 in the vat. The milk is thenready for bottling, for which purpose the discharge valve 21 of the pasteurizer is opened to permit the milk to enter the stand pipes 30, 31. The bottles are then filled, as in the use of the i ordinary filling machine, by placing the bottles upper ends into the stand pipes, which constitute,

in effect, supplemental reservoirs for the milk. The bottles when filled are lowered out of engagement with the filling valves, which are then closed by their springs. It will be understood Ithat, when it is necessary to cool the milk before pasteurizing it, the milk may be poured into the pasteurizer vat 11, cooled, as explained, to the proper temperature and retained at this temperature in the vat until the vat is filled to the de- 11 sired level with milk from successive milkings, or

until the time when the milk is to be pasteurized.

The above described bottling operation applies to the simultaneousfllling of two bottles. If it is desired to fill the bottles one at a time, then preferably one of the filling devices is removed by detaching it from the discharge valve 21 at the union 36 and from the holding clamp 45 for the upper portion of the stand pipe and closing that end of the valve 21 from which the filling head has been removed by means of an ordinary screw cap, such asthe cap 80 shown for closing the front outlet 24 of the valve. When it is desired to use the apparatus for pasteurizing, heating orcocling only, without bottling,'both filling devices can be removed and the bottle table and lifting mechanism also, removed from the pasteurizer and themilk can be runfrom the pasteurizer to a separate cooler, container or other apparatus, either through one of the side ends 22 or 23 of the outlet valve, the other end being closed by a screw cap or, if preferred, both of the side ends of the valve 21 can be thus closed and the milk can be discharged from the front end 24 through a suitable pipe'or connection coupled thereto.

The modified construction disclosed in Figs. 8 and 9 may be the same as that described with the exception that the two stand pipes 30 and 31 of the two filling units or heads are connected to a common cross manifold 81, which may be coupledby a lateral branch or nipple and union 82 to the front end of the outlet valve of the pasteurizer. With this arrangement, an outlet valve with the lateral discharge branches or ends, before described, is not necessary and a simple straight way valve 83, having a single front discharge end or outlet 84, may be employed. By this construction, both filling devices may be removed or attached as a unit by means of a single coupling or union 82 joining the cross manifold to the outlet valve 83. Hook bolts 85 are shown secured to a stationary part of the pasteurizer and engaging over the manifold 81 to relieve the outlet valve and connection from undue strain in the bottling operation.

Claims:

1. A combined pasteurizer and bottling apparatus comprising a vat provided with means for changing the temperature of the liquid in the vat as required and provided with a valve con: trolled bottom outlet for the liquid, a bottle filling device mounted on said pasteurizer exteriorly of said vat and in connection with said liquid outlet outwardly beyond the valve controlling the outlet, means for removably supporting a bottle in receiving relation to said filling device, and a valve for controlling the discharge of liquid from said filling device into the bottle, said first mentioned valve being operable to discharge the vat independently of said filling device.

2. A combined pasteurizer and bottling apparatus comprising a vat provided with means for heating and cooling the liquid in the vat as required and provided with an outlet for the liquid, a valve controlling said outlet, a bottle filling device detachably mounted on said pasteurizer exteriorly of said vat and comprising a liquidholding stand pipe removably connected with said liquid outlet, and a valve for controlling the discharge of liquid from said filling device into a bottle, said valves being arranged and operable at will to discharge the liquid from the vat either directly through said outlet or through said filling device.

3. The combination of a liquid holding vat provided with an outlet forthe liquid; a bottle filling device mounted exteriorly of said vat comprising astationary liquideholding stand pipe connected with said liquid outlet, an air vent tube stationarily but detachably mounted within and supported by saidstand pipe and. removable therefrom, and a valve mounted on said stand pipe and cooperating with said next tube for controlling the discharge of liquid from said filling device into a bottle.

4. A combined pasteurizer and bottling apparatus comprising a'vat .providedwith means for changing the temperature of the liquid in the vat as required and provided with an outlet for the liquid, abottle filling device. mounted on said pasteurizer exteriorly of said vat comprising a stationary liquid-holding stand pipe connected with said liquid outlet and rising to alheight to hold the liquidtherein to the level of the liquid in the vat, an air vent tube stationarily mounted within said' stand, pipe, and/a valve cooperating with said vent tube for controlling the discharge of liquid fromsaid stand pipe into a bottle, said vent tube providing a passage opening at its upper end into the stand pipebelowthe top of the latter for delivering foam and liquid displaced fromthe bottle into said stand pipe duringthe bottle filling operation.

5. The combination of a liquid holding vat provided with anoutlet for the liquid, a bottle filling device mounted exteriorly on said vat and directly connected with said liquid outlet, a shelf, a

shelf support mounted in connection with said Ivat and having parts positioned at different elevations for engagementby said shelf, bottle lifting mechanism comprising said shelf removably engageable with said parts of said shelf support for mounting said shelf at different predetermined definite elevations on said support to suit bottles of different standard sizes, andincluding a bottle holder movable to place bottles into and out of receiving relation to saidfilling device,

said shelf support being; also adjustable with said shelf and bottle holder verticallyrelatively to said filling device to suit bottles varying from standard sizes. V

6. A combined pasteurizer and bottling apparatus comprising a vat provided with means for heating and cooling thev liquid in the vat as required and provided with an outlet for the liquid, at valve controlling said liquid outlet, a

bottle filling device arranged exteriorly of said vat and removably, connected to said liquid outlet outwardly beyond said valve, and a valve for controlling the discharge of liquid from said filling device into a, bottle inreceiving relation to said filling device, said first mentioned valve being operable to discharge the vat through said outlet independently of said filling device.

'7. A combined pasteurizer' andbottling apparatus comprising a vat provided with means for changing the temperature of the liquidin the vat as required and provided with an outlet for the liquid, a valve controlling said liquid outlet, a plurality of bottle filling devices mounted exteriorly of saidgvat and removably connected to said liquid outlet outwardly beyond said valve, a valve independently, controlling the discharge of liquid from each filling device, and means for simultaneously presenting bottles to; said filling devices, said first mentioned valve being operable to discharge the vat through said outlet independently of said filling devices. r

8; A combined pasteurizer and bottling apparatus comprising a vat provided with meansfor changing the temperature of the liquidin the vat as required and provided with an outlet for the liquid; a valve controllingsaid liquid out let, a plurality of bottle filling devices mounted exteriorly of: said vat, a common manifold con necting said bottle filling devices to said liquid outlet outwardly beyond said valve and remove able therefrom with'the filling devices as aunit, and a separate valve controlling the discharge of liquid from each of said filling devices, said first mentioned valve being operable to discharge the vat through said outlet independently of said filling devices. 7

9. The combination of a liquid holding vat provided with means for heating and cooling the liquid and having a valved bottom outlet for. the liquid, a bottle filling device mounted exteriorly of said vat and comprising a liquid-holdingstand pipe connected with said vat outlet outwardly beyond the-valve thereof, and a valve controlling the discharge of the liquid from said filling device into a'bottle, said valved outlet being operable to discharge the vat therethrough independently of said filling device.

ARTHUR H. BOILEAU, ADOLPH J. LIPPOLD. 

